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Fraud victim gave $45,000 to person claiming to be from Microsoft, police say

Sioux Falls police are investigating a fraud case that ended in the victim giving a caller $45,000 over a three-day period.

Sgt. Sean Kooistra during Friday's daily police briefing warned residents about the dangers of following directions or giving money to someone they don't know over the phone.

Officers recently received a report about an individual who got a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, Kooistra said. The caller stated they found a problem with the victim's computer, and gave the victim instructions about how to allow the caller remote access to the computer, Kooistra said.

Once the caller had access to the computer, they had access to all of the victim's information, he said.

Because the victim was afraid of losing that information, the victim followed the caller's direction and ended up giving the caller $45,000 over the period of three days, Kooistra said.

"It's so important that people understand that when they receive phone calls from people identifying themselves being from Microsoft or any type of explanation allowing them access to their computer, it is absolutely fraudulent," Kooistra said. "Please do not fall for that or find yourself in a position where you don't know what to do."

If residents do find themselves in such a position, they should stop all communication with the caller and alert police, he said.

Read or Share this story: https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/crime/2020/05/22/fraud-victim-gave-45-000-person-claiming-microsoft-police-say/5244094002/